Sheet dispenser



Feb- 18, 1964 H. A. HoLzwARTH ETAL 3,121,510

SHEET DISPENSER Filed Dec. 28. 1961 Y f wm if United States Patent O SHEET DISPENSER Henry Albert Holzwarth, Bayside, N.Y., Charles Lewis Metzler, Alpine, NJ., and John Duncan Warlr, Freeport, N.Y., assignors to American Can Company, New

York, NX., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Dec. 28, 1961, Ser. No. 162,647 10 Claims. (Cl. 221-60) This invention relates to a device for dispensing paper napkins, towels, Ifacial tissue and the like and which is particularly suited for household use.

Paper napkins, towels, lfacial tissue and like paper produ'cts are becoming commonplace household items. Their utility in the modern home extends to the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom dressing table and the dining room table. ln order that the wide popularity of these products may be fully enjoyed, it is desirable that handy dispensing cabinets or containers be available which not only blend with the decor of the yhome but which are also simple in construction and easy to load and operate. Many types of sheet dispensers are available, but until now these have had certain disadvantages, such as having expensive construct-ion or unattractive or bulky appearance, or being diicult to reload and incapable of maintaining the sheet product in an accessible state for easy removal.

An important object of the present invention therefore is to provide a dispenser of attractive appearance and simple construction.

Another object of this invention is to provide a dispenser which is easy to load with a sheaf of compacted paper sheets to be dispensed individually.

A further object of this invention is to provide an attractive dispenser for paper Sheets which is suitable for either wall or table use and which is easy to load and operate.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a dispenser for containing a sheaf of papers, napkins, towels, facial tissue and the like in an accessible state for easy individual removal.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

The objects of the invention are achieved with a dispenser comprising a housing constructed with an inclined supporting wall to accommodate a sheaf of a predetermined number of sheets in an arch-like disposition, a closure Iwith dispensing slot hingeably attached to the housing in enclosing pivotable engagement with the sheaf, and a spring biased follower mounted in the housing in cooperating spaced relation to the inclined wall for maintaining tfhe arch-like disposition of the sheets in protruding accessible position at the dispensing slot.

Referring to the drawings:

`FG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred form of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FlG. 3 is a sectional View taken substantially along line 3-3 of FIG. Q.

FIG. 4 is a plan view taken substantially along line 4--4 of FlG. 2, with parts broken away.

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional View taken substantially along line 5-5 of IMG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a partial -sectional View taken substantially along line 6-6 of FlG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a view of the preferred form of the invention mounted for use on a vertical wall.

ln the preferred or exemplary form of the invention as ice illustrated in FIG. l, a dispenser generally designated 1li is shown comprising a :generally rectangular base or 1nouring member generally designated as 11 and a closure generally designated as 12. The closure 1.2 has an elongated slot 13 located substantially medially thereof through which the uppermost sheets of a sheaf or stack of paper napkins, facial tissue, towels or the like protrude in an aroh-like disposition. The sheaf consists of a predetermined number of sheets S compacted in 4face-to-face relation. The individual sheets lmay be completely fiat or may 'be folded and/or interfolded in interlocking relationship, as desired. ln the illustrated embodiment, sheets S represent table napkins which are individually folded into a rectangular pattern and then overfolded at one end to a desired length to lit within the dispenser.

Referring to PIG. 2, housing 11 has a generally rectangular configuration, open at the top and closed at the bottom by a bottom or base wall 15. Integral with and extending upwardly from base wall 1S is a peripheral wall 14 comprising front and rear walls 14a and Mb, respectively, integrally `connected to end walls 14C and ddd. The rear wall 14h is higher than front wall 14a for reasons to be hereinafter explained. r[he upper free edge of the side walls 14C and leid is arcuate to give these walls an archflike appearance. The base wall 1S is substantially flat except for an inclined portion 16 which rises a short distance from the front wall 14a and terminates in an abrupt ledge just short of the center of wall 1S. Preferably, inclined portion 16 extends the -full width of the base ywall and merges with the side walls ille and 14d.

A Ihinged follower 17 in the form of a fiat plate is mounted in housing 11 at a hinge point 'i8 adjacent the higher rear wall lltb. The follower extends toward inclined portion 16 to approximately the center of wall 15 and forms with inclined portion lo a wedge-shaped or crested surface for supporting a sheaf of sheets S in a generally arch-like disposition. Follower 17 is yieldable about hinge point 18 and is biased upwardly in inclined engagement with the bottom of the sheaf by means of a leaf spring 19. Preferably, spring 19 is fixed in housing 11 at a point adjacent the ledge end of inclined portion 16 and `makes sliding Contact with the underneath surface of the follower. This arrangement ensures that the pressure exerted by the spring on the follower is more or less constant at all portions of inclination, since the spring at the point of contact is free to ride up along the surface or" the follower. This increases the distance between the point of contact of the spring and the hinge point '13 as the force of the spring diminishes simultaneously, lthereby maintaining a substantially constant force moment on the follower regardless of its inclination.

The attachment and cooperating relationship of follower 17 and spring 19 in housing `11 are best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. As seen in FIG. 3, the follower extends substantially the Ifull width of the housing yand may be hinged therein by means of lugs 261 which snap into slotted bosses 21 formed in wall 14. The underneath surface of the follower may be formed with spaced parallel ribs 22 bearing against spring 19 to provide minimum frictional contact therebetween. The contact end of the spring is free to slide along ribs 22 yand the other end may be firmly anchored to wall 15 at the base of the ledge end of inclined wall portion lo by means of prongs 23` formed in lthe housing, as shown in FIG. 4. With spring 19 anchored at one end opposite hinge point 18 and making sliding contact with ribs 2-2` intermediate these two fixed points, follower 17 is firmly locked in bosses 211 in underlying floating engagement with the sheaf Iand is maintained in a position of gradually increasing inclination as sheets S are withdrawn from the top of the sheaf.

The olosure 12I as illustrated in FlG. 2 comprises a generally concave upper wall 24 surrounding the elongated slot 13 and a peripheral wall 25 enclosing the open end of the housing. The dispensing slot extends transversely substantially the `full width of wall 24 and is located approximately in the longitudinal middle thereof. ln this position, slot 13 overlies the ledge end of inclined wall portion 16 and the free end of follower 17. Due to the arch-like disposition of the sheaf supported on the inclined wall and follower, the apex of the arched sheaf protrudes Ithrough slot 13 so that the uppermost sheet S is presented in an accessible position for easy removal. As the sheaf diminishes when succeeding sheets are ywithdrawn from the dispenser, follower 17 acts to maintain the sheets in protruding position yin the slot runtil the entire supply has been exhausted. lt will be noted that where the sheaf is comprised of sheets S overfolded at one end to t within the dispenser, the width of slot 13 and the position therebelow of the wedge end and free end of the rinclined wall and follower respectively, may be such that the folded end of each sheet falls exactly `on or near the apex of the sheaf. This causes the free end of the uppermost sheet to separate or break away from the sheaf, thereby presenting a convenient tab T which may be readily grasped to facilitate removal of the sheet from the dispenser.

Closure 12 is hinged to housing lill at the shorter front Wall 14a lby means of rounded projections 26 on the exterior of side walls 14C and 14a which projections snap into depressions 27 formed on the interior of wall 25. This attachment is illustrated in FIG. and is designed to perform a specific function. The space existing between wall 24 of the closu-re and wall l5 of the housing at the hinge point is dimensioned to accommodate a predetermined number of sheets S. For example, where the dispenser is constructed to accommodate a sheaf of say fifty folded table napkins, the space at the hinge end of the dispenser is such that the titty compacted napkins Aare gripped firmly between the housing and closure when in closed position. If the user irnproperly attempts to overload the dispenser ywith more than the designed-for number of napkins, rounded projections 25 will snap out of depressions 27 and thereby release the cover. Thus, the ball-and-socket type of attachment securing the closure to the housing is a safety feature which prevents overloading which otherwise may damage the dispenser or cause improper functioning.

As mentioned hereinbefore, the rear Wall 14h opposite the olosure hinge has a greater height than lthe front wall 14a adjacent the hinge. In effect, the depth of openended housing 11 is greater at the end in which follower E17 is disposed than at the position of the closure hinge iand inclined wall ld. The closure 12 is constructed in substantially the `same manner, the depending wall 25 'increasing in height toward its free end. When the housing and closure are assembled to comprise the dispenser 10, the space provided above the follower is variable and at all times considerably greater than the space at the opposite end. This permits the accommodation of a sheaf of overfolded or end folded sheets, such as napkins, which tend to expand and fan out at their overfolded ends. Being yieldable, closure 12 is free to ride up as the napkins fan out -at their free end. Of course, the relative upward movement of the closure at its hinge end is slight so that the sheaf at this end remains rather firmly gripped. Concave wall Ztl maintains yieldable engagement with the top of the sheaf in the desired archlike disposition. The pressure of the follower 17 acting beneath the sheaf is great enough to maintain the uppermost sheet in accessible position in slot 13 but not so great as to exceed the combined weight of the sheaf and closure 12. Thus, the interaction of the upwardly biased follower and the yieldably hinged closure is such that a position of relative equilibrium is maintained regardless of the number' of sheets contained therebetween. lt will be seen that since the olosure will descend under the influence of gravity in close conformity with the uppermost sheet, the follower never is called upon to achieve an elevation as high as if the closure were fixed to the housing. Consequently, the desired uniformity of pressure presented by the follower is easier to achieve than if its travel were through a greater angle of inclination.

`It will be seen, therefore, that the sheets S are held in the dispenser under relatively constant but slight pressure and that very little resistance to the withdrawal of each sheet will be encountered. Of course, it will be recognized that when the dispenser 10 contains a full sheaf of overfolded sheets, the fanning of the free ends of the sheets may tend to force the free end of closure 12 above the upper edge of wall 14. This condition, if it exists, would be somewhat unsightly and is corrected by providing interlocking beads 28 and 29 on the interacting faces of walls 14 and 25, respectively. These beads act as stops when the dispenser contains its maximum lill, thus preserving the appearance of an attractive composite unit. At times pressure on the uppermost sheet may be too great at the time of maximum fill to permit easy withdrawal due to the constraining effect of these interlocking beads. To obviate this diliculty an encircling bead 30 and/ or spaced ribs 31 are placed on the inner Isurface of closure wall Z4 adjacent slot y13 to reduce frictional Contact with the sheet. Normally, it would not be necessary to resort to these means where the sheets S are rof relatively tough fibre, such as paper napkins or towels; but where the dispenser is used for softer facial tissue and the like, it is desirable that removal resistance be reduced to a minimum to prevent tearing. Stop beads 2S and 29 also serve a secondary function of preventing the clos-ure 12 from being pulled away from housing .11 each time a sheet is withdrawn from the dispenser.

The invention as hereinabove described is of simple construction comprising only four essential components. With the exception of leaf spring 19 which preferably is of spring steel, all parts may be of any desirable material such as sheet metal, mol-dable bre or plastic. A moldable plastic, such as high impact styrene, is preferred so that housing 11 and closure 12 may be readily molded to their desired configuration. inclined wall 16 may be formed during the molding operation, of course, but it has been found that where wall 16 extends the full width of the housing and merges at -its ends into the side walls 14e and 14d, lslight inward buckling of these side walls may occur as the plastic solidifles. This is not a serious problem but may cause a somewhat unsightly appearance. This condition is easily corrected by thinning wall 16 immediately adjacent the side walls so that only a thin membrane 32 joins the wall 16 with each side wall l14C and 14d, as illustrated in FIG. 6. Whatever stresses that are created when the molded walls solidify and set are therefore absorbed in the thinner membrane 32, leaving the side Walls smooth and uniform.

Dispenser 1t) presents a neat and attractive unit which may be colored or otherwise decorated to blend with the decor of virtually any room in the home. If desired for table or counter use, the base of housing 11 may be provided with legs 33. The dispenser is just as suitable for wall use, of course, and slotted holes 34 may be provided in wall 15 of the housing for suspending the dispenser from a wall as illustrated in FiG. 7. In the preferred form of the invention as hereinabove described, the presence of biased follower 17 is important to the maintenance of the sheaf in a desired arched disposition. However, it will be understood that for certain types of .sheets S where the total thickness of the sheaf at maximum fill is not great, the resulting interaction of the hinged closure 12 and the inclined wall portion 16 may be such that the desired arch-like disposition of the sheaf will be maintained without the help of the hinged follower. -In such instances, the follower 17 may be fixed to the housing to provide a permanent wall of reverse inclination or, alternately, wall portion 16 itself may be shaped and positioned with respect to slot 13 to achieve this result. The pinching or squeezing effect between wall portio-n 16 and the descending wall 24 of the closure will continue to maintain the sheaf in the desired arched relationship with slot 11.3 until substantially all the sheets have been consumed.

This arrangement has been found satisfactory for sheafs of napkins of relatively small number and probably would be equally satisfactory for dispensing flat or unfolded sheets from a relatively thin sheaf.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

We claim:

1. A sheet dispenser comprising an open-topped housing for accommodating a compacted sheaf of sheets, a closure enclosing said sheaf in said housing and having a dispensing slot for removal of said sheets, said housing having an inclined wall terminating in a ledge substantially opposite said slot `for supporting said sheets in protruding arched -disposition in said slot, and a biased follower hingedly mounted within and on said housing in spaced juxtaposition to and separate from said inclined wall for maintaining said sheets in `said disposition whereby as the uppermost sheets are withdrawn and the sheaf diminishes each succeeding sheet is presented in protruding disposition in said slot.

2. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said slot is substantially medial of said housing, and said inclined wall and said follower are positioned to form oppositely inclined surfaces converging toward said slot.

=3. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein said closure is yieldably hinged to said housing in overlying relation to said sheaf.

4. A dispenser for thin paper sheets and the like comprising a generally rectangular open-topped housing for accommodating a compacted sheaf of said sheets, a closure hingeably secured `at one end of said housing in overlying yieldable engagement with said sheaf, said closure having a slot extending transversely of said housing substantially medially thereof, said housing having an inclined wall beginning at a point adjacent said one end and terminating in a ledge substantially opposite said slot for supporting said sheaf in protruding arch-like disposition in said slot, and a spring biased follower hingeably mounted in the opposite end of said housing and adapted to slope toward said ledge `for maintaining said sheets in said disposition whereby as the uppermost sheets are withdrawn and the sheaf diminishes each succeeding sheet is presented in protruding disposition in said slot.

5. The dispenser of claim 4 wherein said. follower is biased by a leaf spring secured to said housing at a point intermediate of said ends and which slidably engages said follower between said point and said opposite end.

6. The dispenser of claim 5 wherein ribs are provided on said follower in engagement with said spring for reducing the contacting surface therebetween.

7. The dispenser of claim 4 wherein said closure has an upper concave wall conforming substantially to the arch-like disposition of said sheaf and which exten-,ds in increasing spaced relation to said housing away from said one end.

8, The dispenser of claim 7 wherein said closure is hingedly secured to said housing by means of a snap-in attachment adapted to become disengaged when an excessive supply of said sheets are placed between said closure and said housing.

9. The dispenser of claim 7 wherein cooperating beads are provided on said housing and said closure at said opposite end for limiting the tendency of said closure to pivot away from said housing at said opposite end.

10. The dispenser of claim 7 wherein ribbed structure is provided inwardly of said slot in said concave wall for reducing the engaging surface between said closure and said sheaf contiguous to said slot.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 760,402 Scott May 17, 1904 1,072,859 Kingsley Sept. 9, 1913 1,754,467 Hothersall Apr. 14, 1930 2,082,765 Krueger June 1, 1937 2,138,692 Broeren et al Nov. 29, 1938 2,253,742 West et al. Aug. 26, 1941 2,464,426 Williams Mar. 15, 1949 2,592,255 Drees Apr. 8, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 186,224 Switzerland NOV. 16, 1936 

1. A SHEET DISPENSER COMPRISING AN OPEN-TOPPED HOUSING FOR ACCOMMODATING A COMPACTED SHEAF OF SHEETS, A CLOSURE ENCLOSING SAID SHEAF IN SAID HOUSING AND HAVING A DISPENSING SLOT FOR REMOVAL OF SAID SHEETS, SAID HOUSING HAVING AN INCLINED WALL TERMINATING IN A LEDGE SUBSTANTIALLY OPOSITE SAID SLOT FOR SUPPORTING SAID SHEETS IN PROTRUDING ARCHED DISPOSITION IN SAID SLOT, AND A BIASED 